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BLUES DUO HEADING OUT

By Adam Marshall

CHELSEA are allowing two of their younger players to move out of Stamford Bridge on loan, with Mark Nicholls heading for Grimsby and Bristol Rovers targeting Rhys Evans.

Young forward Nicholls, 22, only recently returned from a successful spell with Reading, but he looks set to fill the gap left in Town`s attack due to an injury to Bradley Allen.

Alan Buckley is likely to hand his new arrival an instant debut, against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Evans, meanwhile, could replace back injury-victim Lee Jones at The Memorial Stadium.

The 18-year-old is behind Ed de Goey, Carlo Cudicini and Kevin Hitchcock in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and Ian Holloway is trying to sign him to compete with veteran Brian Parkin for a starting place in the match at Oldham.

Holloway was also linked with a loan raid on nearby Swindon, for their Australian shot-stopper Frank Talia. The former Blackburn man has more experience than Evans but the Bristol boss is looking to repeat the success of Arsenal rookie Stuart Taylor.

Rovers are likely to extend the trial period of Manchester United youngster Stephen Cosgrove, and they have also given former Chelsea kid Clinton Ellis a chance to earn a move.